Review: Taken (LOST #5) by Cynthia Eden

Bailey Jones somehow survived her harrowing abduction by the infamous Death Angel. But while her physical scars have healed, she can’t stop wondering about a woman she helped to escape, who simply disappeared. When LOST agent Asher Young is assigned to her case, Bailey instantly feels an attraction to the intense ex-SEAL who seems to be carrying dark secrets of his own.

BUT KEEPING HIS PROMISE . . .

Asher can’t afford to let his growing feelings for Bailey distract him from his job. Only she can soothe his horrific nightmares, but the last thing he wants is for the demons from his past to ever hurt her. Bailey has gotten past his guard, and the emotions he feels for her—they’re as dark and dangerous as the past he doesn’t want to face.

COULD COST BOTH THEIR LIVES

When corpses begin surfacing—all marked with the same tattoo depicting the Death Angel’s calling card—Asher must race to stop a twisted killer who wants nothing more than to claim his next prize: Bailey . . .

I received this book for free from the Publisher or Author in exchange for an honest review, or I purchased it with my own funds. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Two kindred souls who have been through hell and made it out alive meet and fall in love in this romantic suspense by Cynthia Eden. Taken is #5 in the LOST series that has quickly become my all-time favorite suspense series. Usually, romantic suspense series die out within the first few books. The LOST series does not fade out but instead gets crazier as each book goes on. I read this series out of order and I did not lose any major details as Miss Eden does a few quick summaries of characters introduced throughout the novels.

As I sit here trying to write this review, I cannot get these characters out of my head. You know you have read an intensely great book when you end up dreaming about the plot and twists and you sadly get thrown into the book. Yeah, last night I dreamt of the last few scenes of Taken! I totally did not expect who the Death Angel was and all his victims turned out to be. Miss Eden had me sucked in until the very end.

We got to meet Asher Young very briefly in the previous novel, Torn, and you could tell he has a serious past. Although he may have been jaded due to his traumatic childhood, he still seems open, protective, brave, and object; even though he starts to fall for Bailey. He sees a fellow survivor and knows she is stronger than everyone, including herself, thinks she is.

Bailey can see that Asher is haunted by memories and just wants to take away his shadows. She does not realize until later than he is more than what he seems. And her first impression although protective was not a good one. She finds that even with the darkness he exudes, she is safe and loved. She survived the Death Angel once and will do anything in her power to overcome this new serial killer that’s on the loose where she can finally prove her worth and strength to those around her.

Damn. This was such a great story and I am so anxious for the next one come out. Sadly, we have to wait months for it! A great addition to an overall amazing series!

I was gifted a copy from the JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes dark tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader bestseller. Cynthia is also a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award (she was a finalist both in the romantic suspense category and in the paranormal romance category).

Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written more than thirty novels and novellas. She lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

“Bailey Jones . . .” Asher said her name softly, as if tasting it on his tongue. “There are a few things you should know about me before we begin.”
There are things you should know about me, too. But I’m not going to tell you . . . or you won’t help me.
“First, you don’t have to fear me. Part of my job at LOST—well, let’s just say Gabe hired me on because he wanted a bit more muscle. Protection is my role. I’ll keep you safe and track down any clues about that missing woman. On my watch, nothing will happen to you.”
She nodded even though—
I don’t believe you. There is no safety. I learned that.
“And second . . . you don’t have to bullshit me.”
Now she blinked in surprise.
He laughed, a deep, rough rumble of sound that Bailey found she liked to hear.
“You think I can’t tell when you’re wearing a mask? You’ve got yourself locked down tight, under careful control, don’t you? But you don’t have to do that with me. I’m not one of the North Carolina deputies. I’m not going to judge you. And I’m not some lame-ass reporter who wants to splash your story all over the world.”
I wear a mask all the time now because something is wrong inside of me. It has been, ever since that fire. That hole. That hell.
“So let’s put a no-bullshit rule in effect,” he murmured.
Her hands curled around the steering wheel. “Liking rules, is that more of a military thing again?”
“Wanting to break rules . . . that’s why I left the SEALs.”
He’d been a SEAL? She turned to look up at him. “Is there a rule number three?”
“We’ll get to that rule later . . .”
She started the vehicle. “I’ll follow you to your place.”
“Do you have any rules for me?”
Don’t hurt me. Don’t judge me. Don’t pity me. Bailey cleared her throat. “I’m sure we can get to those rules later, too.”
He slammed her door shut. Through the window, Bailey watched as he strode away—not to another car, but to a shiny, big monster of a motorcycle. He climbed on, revved the engine moments later, and that rumbling growl filled the parking garage.
Asher slid the helmet over his head—a black helmet with a dark visor that completely obscured his face. Her heart beat faster as she stared at him.
Dangerous.
That had been her first thought when she’d seen him in the conference room.
But he was on her side. Not a threat to her. He’d help her.
At least, that was what she hoped. Because if something didn’t change soon, Bailey was afraid that the deputies would be right about her. Her shrink would be right.
I may go crazy.